41 apply after Kane County official calls for new Metra rep

Current representative says she won't resign

More than three dozen Kane County residents have applied to be the county's next representative on the Metra commuter rail board, including businessman and frequent political candidate Jim Oberweis.

But how soon the winning applicant serves on the board is still up in the air.

Answering County Board Chairman Karen McConnaughay's open call, 41 people applied, including newcomers and some familiar names in local and statewide politics, such as Oberweis. The Sugar Grove resident, who is chairman of his family's dairy business, has waged high-profile but unsuccessful bids for the governor's office, the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives.

"It's really a broad list," said County Board Member Catherine Hurlbut, who serves on a task force to help make the selection.

McConnaughay issued her call for applicants last month, about two weeks after she urged the entire 11-member Metra board — including Caryl Van Overmeiren, Kane's current representative — to resign. The call to resign was prompted by a scandal involving the late Phil Pagano, Metra's former executive director.

Van Overmeiren, whom McConnaughay appointed, recently told the Tribune she has no intention of resigning. But that is not dissuading McConnaughay from continuing with the process of selecting a new representative, she said Tuesday.

"It's my hope that when I have the appointment made, then I can reach out and ask her again to step up and do the right thing," McConnaughay said.

If Van Overmeiren decides to remain the on the board, the new Kane representative will wait until Van Overmeiren's term expires in March 2012.

Oberweis said his background would be useful at Metra. "I've got quite a bit of experience in helping organizations respond to some financial difficulties," he said.

Others on the list include Paul Greviskes, a former County Board member, and Mike McCoy, a former board chairman.

McConnaughay said she hopes to present a nominee to the County Board for confirmation by July.